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| Cody Thompson Colorado School of Mines |
What a standout year it was for Cody Thompson of Colorado School of Mines last season. 24-3 on the year, wins Super Region VI & finishes as the NCAA Division II runner up.
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| Colby Njos St Cloud State |
Colby Njos enters his final season of NCAA DII competition now a two time All American, having posted 3rd place finishes in both '21 & '24. A Super Region V champ last year, he was 20-3.
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| Dylan Brown Central Oklahoma |
The former Northeastern Oklahoma NJCAA standout was more than happy to show that he could hang with the grapplers of NCAA Division II. A runner-up at the Super Region IV, he was 4th in the DII nation.
Right then in the Broncho lineup with Brown, will be a very tough Bam West. He himself had a 10-2 major decision over 2023 NCAA DII qualifier Ethen Doty & he also defeated Garrett Lyons 7-3.
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| Gabe Maki Central Oklahoma |
Along with Brown, the Bronchos also have an extremely tough NJCAA transfer in Gabe Maki of Pratt. A two time South Central District finalist, who won a title in 2023, Maki took NJCAA All American honors of 6th last season.
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| Jalen Spuhler UW-Parkside |
Jalen Spuhler enters '24-'25 now a two time NCAA DII All American with finishes of 4th & 6th. The past two Super Region V's he has been 2nd & 3rd. A match shy of a top 8 showing at the Midwest Classic (was 4th there in '23) he was one of Cody Thompson's only losses last year. Spuhler pinned the NCAA DII runner-up at the 6:48 mark.
Behind Spuhler in the lineup is a very tough Easton Worachek. 16-5 on the season last year, Woracheck defeated Ethan Hardy 9-7.
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| Dean Noble Western Colorado |
21 wins on the season, 2023 Super Region VI champion Dean Noble slipped to a runner-up finish last season, but made up for it big time by capturing 7th place All American honors at the NCAA DII championships. Backing him up in the Mountaineer lineup will be a very tough Vince Cabral, who himself went 21-3 last season.
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| Cael Larson Augustana (SD) |
20 wins on the season, Cael Larson was 2nd at Super Region V & one match shy of earning NCAA DII All American honors. Defeated two time All American Jalen Spuhler twice by scores of 7-4 & 9-5.
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| Nicco Taddy West Liberty |
21 wins on the season, Nico Taddy actually defeated Dean Noble 13-6 at the NCAA tournament, but it was Noble who came back to place 7th, while Taddy finished one match shy of a top 8 finish. Taddy was 3rd at Super Region III.
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| Joey Semerad McKendree |
21 wins on the year, Joey Semerad was the Super Region IV runner-up, and one match shy of NCAA DII All American honors.
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| Christian Small Lake Erie |
I've said it many times. The sport of wrestling can be one of the most rewarding activities a person will ever do. So to can it be one of the most disappointing. Christian Small entered the 2024 NCAA DII tournament having made the finals in 2023. A Super Region III champ (2nd in '23), he was undefeated, slated to win a DII title. Unfortunately he'd end up getting beat out of the tournament. Now he has one more shot to redeem himself and reclaim his status. No doubt about it, he'll be a NCAA DII champion contender.
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| Jackson Hoover Indianapolis |
Standout season for Greyhound Jackson Hoover last year. 21 wins on the year he was 3rd at Super Region IV & 3rd at the Midwest Classic. A 7-0 win over All American Dylan Brown, he defeated R12'er Cael Larson 8-6.
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| Jake Piccirilli UNC-Pembroke |
Two time NCAA DII qualifier Jake Piccirilli has thus far been 3rd-4th-3rd at the Super Region II as he enters his final season competing for the Braves. 8th at the Midwest Classic, he defeated Spuhler 7-5.
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| Ethan Hardy Glenville State |
An NCAA DII qualifier in 2023, Ethan Hardy came up just a hair short last season with a 4th place finish at Super Region III. 31 wins on the season, he racked up quite a few impressive victories. He defeated R12'ers Nicco Taddy (9-5) and Joey Semerad (9-3), as well as qualifier Jackson Hoover (9-0).
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| Dallas Wilson Mount Olive |
"So close" has been the story of Dallas Wilson's career. An NCAA qualifier in 2023, he came within one match of All American honors. Then last season, finishing 4th at the Super Region II, he was one match shy of his second NCAA qualification. Midwest Classic? He's been one match shy of a top 8 finish the past two seasons. 13-5 on the year, he had a 9-2 decision over Joey Semerad. Perhaps '24-'25 is when the horseshoe finally gets around the ring, instead of so close beside it.
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| Ethan Doty Upper Iowa |
16 wins on the season, Ethen Doty shined at the Midwest Classic last season placing 4th. A 1:04 fall over All American Dylan Brown, Doty was one match shy of NCAA DII qualification with a 4th place finish at Super Region V.
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| Garrett Lyons Central Missouri |
23 wins on the season, Garrett Lyons with a 4th place Super Region IV finish, was one match shy of NCAA DII qualification.
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| Bret Minnick Mercyhurst |
Bret Minnick was one match away from NCAA DII qualification last season, finishing 4th at Super Region I.
NOTE: Mercyhurst will be going NCAA DI this season, but will not be eligible for the post season. Not sure if they'll compete NCWA or not.
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| Wyatt Turnquist Northern State |
Five returning All Americans, three returning R12'ers, and three more returning qualifiers. Yet when it's all said and done, it may very well be a wrestler who didn't even qualify last year, who wins the DII national title. Twice 3rd at Super Region V, Wyatt Turnquist dominated through the consolation bracket at the 2023 NCAA Division II championships to finish in 3rd place. Unfortunately, last year he was living, walking proof that upsets at this level go unforgiven. He finished 5th at the Region. Nevertheless he still provided plenty of evidence that he'll come back stronger than ever and indeed challenge for that DII national title. Winning last year's Midwest Classic, he defeated Colby Njos 8-2, Dylan Brown 5-4 & pinned Nicco Taddy at the 4:33 mark.
Backing Turnquist up in the lineup, will be a very tough Carter Ban. Among his victories a 5-1 win over R12'er Cael Larson & 12-1 over Torry Early.
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| Demetri Teddlie King |
Demetri Teddlie was an NCAA DII qualifier in 2022, with a Super Region II finish of 2nd. He's came up short of a second qualification the past two seasons with Region finishes of 6th and 5th. This will be his finally opportunity to make it back. He had 17 wins last season.
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| Hayden Kuhn Ashland |
Hayden Kuhn finished 6th at the Super Region III last season, but gave glimpses of why it's easy to imagine him finishing within the top three. 20 wins on the season, he was 7th at the Midwest Classic. A 10-7 s.v. over All American Dean Noble.
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| Nolan Gessler Tiffin |
15 wins on the season, Nolan Gessler was 5th at Super Region III.
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| Lucas Clement Quincy |
You know how enthusiastic I get about new programs. Representing one of them, Lucas Clement was 5th at Super Region IV with 15 wins on the season.
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| Ali Alicea Kutztown |
Another wrestler with 15 wins on the season and a 5th place finish at Super Region I, Ali Alicea.
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| Brady Collins or Brody Arrants Nebraska Kearney |
It's never easy losing a wrestler like three time NCAA DII qualifier John Burger, but I rest assure you, the Lopers will NOT be hurting at the 149 lbs weight class this season. Brody Collins went 14-3 last season, sticking All American Dean Noble in 1:22. Brody Arrants also had a 4-2 decision over Noble himself.
I'd say that Collins is most likely going to be UNK's starter this season, especially considering that he majored Arrants 12-1 last season. However I've been watching wrestling for nearly 32 years. I've seen guys tech fall one another in the same day. So with that said, I'm not counting Arrants out yet.
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| Matt Sarbo Pittsburgh-Johnstown |
Arguably the best wrestler in the junior college ranks the past two seasons, Matt Sarbo comes to Pittsburgh-Johnstown wanting to see if he can dominate NCAA Division II wrestling in the same way he dominated the NJCAA. The two time NJCAA champ is a very welcomed addition to the Mountain Cat lineup.
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| Elijah Reece Minnesota State Mankato |
The Mavericks picked up a tough transfer in NJCAA R12'er Elijah Reece.
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